New Prague adopts rewritten development code but pulls ADU rules for further review

The New Prague City Council approved the second reading of the city’s Unified Development Code (UDC) on March 16 but directed staff to remove the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) provisions for additional review and possible revision.

Ken, who presented the UDC, described the code as a consolidation of zoning, subdivision, floodplain and related development regulations following a 15‑month process. He said the version in the packet incorporated 74 edits that were punctuation and formatting fixes, not substantive changes.

Council discussion focused on ADUs. Ken explained the draft allows ADUs in single‑family residential districts, requires owner occupancy of either the primary residence or the ADU, prohibits short‑term rentals and would require a rental license and inspection. "It does not limit to just family members as written currently," Ken said when asked where the ADU language appears in the packet. Council members expressed concern about the potential for short‑term or transient occupancy and the need for clearer regulatory language on who may occupy ADUs.

After debate, council members moved to remove letter F (the ADU section) from the ordinance and revisit that section as an amendment. The council then approved a resolution (CC260316‑02) to publish the ordinance by title and summary while omitting the ADU section from the printed summary; the full code will be available on the city website and at City Hall. The motions and the publication resolution passed by voice vote, 5‑0.

Staff said the ADU language can be returned as an amendment at a future meeting after legal review and potential conditional use or licensing options are explored.